UNE Cypriot artefacts to be digitised for international research

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UNE Cypriot artefacts to be digitised for international research

The University of New England is helping to establish a digital library of important Cypriot artefacts from around the world which will further international research. The Museum of Antiquities in …

The University of New England is helping to establish a digital library of important Cypriot artefacts from around the world which will further international research.

The Museum of Antiquities in the School of Humanities has joined The Cyprus Institute to assemble a digital library of Cypriot artefacts of international significance.

Dr Bronwyn Hopwood, convenor of Classics and Ancient History at UNE said the collaboration is an essential step for research in Cypriot history and culture.

“International collaboration is important for promoting access and research across the collections of Cypriot antiquities held around the world, and for building networks with academics in the field.”

The Museum of Antiquities at UNE will be examining over 500 stone, bone, metal and ceramic artefacts in its collections in the next six months.

“We are looking at almost a quarter of the museum’s collection. Each artefact has to be photographed, complete measurements recorded, and the history of its archaeological excavation or acquisition verified.”

Dr Hopwood said The Cyprus Institute is a world leader in this field.

“Cyprus is of enormous importance for understanding both Mediterranean history and the history of archaeology in Australia. In ancient times the island provided a nexus between Africa, Asia, and Europe and came under the influence of several Mediterranean empires, including the Assyrian, Byzantine, Egyptian, Greek, Persian, Phoenician and Roman. Cyprus is also the site of the first Australian-led international archaeological dig.”

The Museum of Antiquities at UNE houses a significant collection of Cypriot material and third year students are helping with the photography, cataloguing, and reporting.

“It is really exciting to be able to work with the Cypriot material, to handle artefacts that are over 5,000 years old, and to develop the skills necessary for researching and managing museum collections,” said UNE student, Helen Bagnell.

Student, Isabella Hanlon, said she is thrilled to be involved.

“To be able to collaborate on an internationally important project, and to know that the work I am doing will make a difference to researchers world-wide is a privilege.”

The Museum of Antiquities, located in the foyer of the UNE Arts Building, is open to the public Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm.

The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.